Tiger Owl

Chapter 155 Recruiting the Phoenix Chick
Inside the study, Xu Shu poured Pang Tong a full cup of wine and said with a smile, "What we scholars want is to apply what we've learned. To have a place to use our knowledge and earn enough respect, don't you think?"

Pang Tong nodded. "Brother is right. At this time, the world is in turmoil and heroes are emerging. We must also be discerning in choosing our lords. What does Yuanzhi think of Cao Cao?"

Xu Shu calmly replied, "Cao Cao has defeated Yuan Shao and unified the north. He has already gained control of one of the three kingdoms. Going to join Cao Cao is indeed the safest option. Even if you are promoted, you will at least be able to maintain a prefecture or county."

"Then why didn't Yuanzhi join Cao Cao?" Pang Tong asked with a smile.

Xu Shu said calmly, "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans with each other!"

"I see!"

"Actually, it's not just a difference in political views. More importantly, Cao Cao's inner circle is already fixed, with various interests intertwined. If we were to join now, we probably wouldn't even be on the periphery. Why should I join in the fun? I, Xu Yuanzhi, would rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox."

Pang Tong sighed, "Brother is right. Others have already settled their affairs. If we go to join them, it will only be adding insult to injury."

After a pause, Pang Tong asked again, "Has General Gan's faction also been settled?"

Xu Shu chuckled, “General Gan’s men come from all over the country. It’s not like Jingzhou, which is monopolized by the eight great families, nor is it like Jiangdong, which is controlled by the two major aristocratic groups of Huai Si and Dong Wu. There are no interest circles here yet. Ma Liang was appointed as General Gan’s clerk as soon as he arrived. Besides, Brother Shi Yuan has always been on General Gan’s mind.”

"General Gan knows me?" Pang Tong was both surprised and delighted.

Xu Shu nodded. "General Gan has always been thinking about two people: Kongming and you. General Gan sent people to invite Kongming twice, but Kongming did not agree. I also wrote you two letters. I heard that you went on a trip and are not in Xiangyang."

"Ah! I didn't receive your letter."

"I guessed you weren't here, and your father was worried these letters would cause trouble, so he burned them."

"should be!"

Pang Tong asked with delight, "General Gan, do you really know me?"

Xu Shu smiled slightly and said, "The Crouching Dragon and the Young Phoenix, possessing either one can bring peace to the world, how could he not know you?"

Xu Shu arranged for Pang Tong to stay, and he hurriedly went to the Marquis of Wuchang's residence.

Gan Ning was reading in his study when there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" Gan Ning put down his book.

Da Qiao pushed open the door and entered, curtsying. "Husband, the steward sent word that Military Advisor Xu has urgent business with you!"

Gan Ning nodded, put down his book, and stood up. Da Qiao quickly took a long robe and draped it over him.

Gan Ning arrived at the VIP guest room in the central courtyard. Xu Shu was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. Gan Ning smiled and said, "What urgent matter is it? Why are you coming to see me tonight?"

Xu Shu quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Reporting to the General, Pang Tong has arrived!"

"Pang Tong, the Phoenix Chick?"

"Exactly!"

Gan Ning was overjoyed, "Where is he now?"

“I arranged for him to be placed in the Talent Seeking Hall.”

"Let's go see him now." Like Liu Bei, Gan Ning was eager to find talented people. Liu Bei stood at the door for three and a half hours to invite Zhuge Liang, and Gan Ning went to the door overnight to get Pang Tong.

Pang Tong was deeply moved to hear that Gan Ning had come to visit, and he quickly came out to greet him.

"This humble citizen, Pang Tong, pays his respects to General Gan!"

Gan Ning looked at Pang Tong. He was not short and dark-skinned as depicted in the novel. Instead, he was tall and slender with a handsome face. But thinking about it, it made sense. The sons of noble families all had good genes from their parents. How many of them were ugly?

"I've long admired the name of the Phoenix Chick, but I never expected to meet him in Chaisang. Mr. Pang, please!"

"General, please go first!"

The three entered the room and sat down, whereupon the head steward brought tea and refreshments.

After a few casual words, Gan Ning got to the point, saying with a smile, "Mr. Pang, you came from Xiangyang, did you notice any military movements there?"

Pang Tong smiled slightly and said, "There seems to be nothing unusual at the moment, but if Liu Biao has stationed a large army in Fancheng and at the same time blockaded the Han River with his navy, then it means that Liu Biao is going to send troops to Jiangxia."

"How do you know?" Gan Ning asked with a smile.

"When Liu Biao attacked Jiangxia County, his biggest fear was that Liu Bei would launch a surprise attack. He had to garrison a large force to defend against Liu Bei before he could launch an attack on Jiangxia. Therefore, by observing Liu Biao's deployment around Fancheng, we could know his next move."

Will Liu Biao definitely attack Jiangxia?

"Will!"

Pang Tong nodded and said, "Nanyang Commandery and Jiangxia Commandery are Liu Biao's strategic buffer. The reason he has been able to rest easy for so many years is that he controls these two commanderies. Even if he lends Wancheng to Zhang Xiu, Zhang Xiu will still guard the northern gate for him, just like Huang Zu. Liu Bei's capture of Nanyang Commandery has already put Liu Biao in a very passive position. However, Liu Bei does not have a navy, so as long as Liu Biao blocks the Han River, Liu Bei will not be able to cross it."

"But General, with your capture of Jiangxia, Liu Biao has lost his eastern gateway. Especially with your powerful navy, Liu Biao is truly restless day and night. He must send troops; otherwise, his southern commandery will be difficult to hold."

Gan Ning nodded and then asked, "Mr. Pang, what do you think I should do next?"

The real test has arrived. Pang Tong pondered for a moment and said, "I think the general should spend a lot of money on intelligence, to gather information on Cao Cao, Jiangdong, Sun Ben, and Jingnan and Jiaozhou. Then, based on the large amount of intelligence gathered, we should formulate a plan: what should I do this year? What should I do in two years? Three-year plan, five-year plan, and so on. Then, we should complete the work step by step according to the plan. Of course, we should first formulate a long-term plan for ourselves, then break down the long-term plan, and then deploy and do things around these plans."

Gan Ning was impressed by Pang Tong's ability to consider five-year, ten-year, and twenty-year plans. If Zhuge Liang was a genius, with his strategies being imaginative and seamless, then Pang Tong was a precise instrument, flawless and watertight. He truly deserved the title of "Young Phoenix"! He was indeed exceptional.

Gan Ning hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Could you elaborate?"

Pang Tong laughed and said, "To be specific is too complex. Let me give you an example. For instance, I estimate it would take Cao Cao about five years to pacify Hebei and Hedong. Of course, this is just an example; five years is only a guess and may not be accurate. During these five years, you should consider what you should do. I suggest you begin preparing for Cao Cao's southward advance, stockpile grain and fodder, and rebuild fortified cities. In addition, ships are very important. Cao Cao is strong in land warfare and has the most powerful cavalry, but his weakness is naval warfare. Therefore, you should strengthen your forces to address his weakness. With the natural barrier of the Yangtze River and a powerful navy, we can make it difficult for Cao Cao to cross the Yangtze."

Gan Ning secretly praised Pang Tong's judgment, and indeed Cao Cao completely pacified the north five years later in Jian'an 12.

Gan Ning nodded and then tentatively asked, "Does Mr. Pang think I should seize Jiangdong?"

Pang Tong shook his head. “With a great battle approaching, it would be unwise for us to fight amongst ourselves. Moreover, attacking Jiangdong would only weaken the military strength of both sides, which is exactly what Cao Cao wanted. It would be no different from the infighting between Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, which would only benefit Cao Cao, the fisherman. In my opinion, it is better to attack from the east than from the west. Rather than taking Yangzhou, which is located horizontally, it would be better to conquer Jiaozhou, which is located vertically.”

Pang Tong's suggestion resonated with Gan Ning, who nodded and said, "My strategist is Lu Su, and I have appointed left and right deputy strategists. Xu Shu is the left deputy strategist, but the right deputy strategist position is still vacant. Would you be willing to serve as the right deputy strategist and be in charge of intelligence, Mr. Pang?"

Pang Tong was overjoyed and stood up to bow, saying, "Pang Tong is willing to offer my humble assistance to the general!"

(End of this chapter)